Gulf of Aden Security Review
A regularly updated review of both Yemen and the Horn of Africa covering topics related to security, governance, and militant activity.
Yemen: Al Houthi militants reject newly announced Prime Minister in Sana’a; Ansar al Sharia conducts simultaneous attacks in al Bayda; AQAP releases military captives in al Bayda
Horn of Africa: AMSIOM and Somali National Army forces conduct security operations in Bay region; Finnish authorities detain three Somali nationals in Helsinki
Yemen Security Brief
President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi issued a decree announcing Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak as Yemen’s new Prime Minister on October 7 in Sana’a. Al Houthi militants rejected the appointment on October 8, saying the appointment consultation is still ongoing. Separately, al Houthi militants have reportedly occupied and are now training in the former headquarters of Yemen’s First Armored Division in Sana’a.[1]
Ansar al Sharia detonated a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) targeting Yemeni Special Forces in al Bayda on October 8, killing at least nine. Militants simultaneously raided and looted multiple Yemeni government and military installations in al Bayda, including the Yemeni Special Forces Command Center and the central prison, before withdrawing. Ansar al Sharia later claimed credit for the attacks.[2]
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants released an unidentified senior military commander and five of his companions after tribal mediations in Rada’a, al Bayda on October 7.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali National Army (SNA) forces conducted a security operation in Goof Gaduud, Bay region, arresting an unknown number of al Shabaab militants on October 8. AMISOM and SNA forces also carried out a security operation in Baidoa, Bay region, arresting at least eight al Shabaab militants on October 8.[4]
Finnish authorities arrested three Somali nationals in Helsinki on October 8. It is not clear if the detainees are al Shabaab members, although Finnish authorities arrested four suspected al Shabaab members in Helsinki on September 17.[5]
